Playa Del Carmen is a vibrant coastal city where the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea meet pristine white sandy beaches. I’ve been going there for several years during the winter months, usually between October and February when the Caribbean sea is at it’s finest. There are a lot of things that I learnt (good and bad) and I want to share some of them so let’s dive into this Playa del Carmen guide on where to eat, drink and beach during your first visit!
1. Duna Beach Club
This beach club opened recently and is located in Xpu-Ha beach, just 28km away from Playa. It offers parking, sun beds, sun huts and food & drinks. Note that there is a minimum consumption required, as well as a reservation for the weekends. It’s recommended to call in advance and ask them about the consumption and reservation.
2. Akumal Beach
Akumal Beach, located just 40km away from Playa del Carmen is a lush Caribbean beach with transparent waters, sea turtles and coral reefs. On this beach, you can rest, swim or explore the coral reefs with a guided group or on your own.
One downside to this beach is that despite there are many sunbeds, they belong to the hotels and are not for rent. The only ones available for rent are at the Lol-Ha Restaurant and Beach Club.
Avoid the trap
If you drive straight to the beach’s parking you will be asked to pay a fee to enter the beach despite that all beaches of Meixco are public and free. If you confront them about it, they will explain that the fee is for usage of lockers and bathrooms, or to “protect” the turtles.
To avoid this scam instead just before you enter the beach’s parking lot, look for the parking for the beach restaurant called Lol-Ha (Google Maps link below).
There will be a security guy there to which you just have to say that you are going for lunch at the restaurant. That way you get free parking, and free beach access in exchange for having lunch at a nice beach restaurant.
I recommend ordering the Cochnita tacos or the pozole when they have it. Both are delicious!
Do this instead
To avoid this scam just before you enter the beach’s parking lot, look for the parking for the beach restaurant called Lol-Ha (Google Maps link below). There will be many guys asking you to park at their parking lots, but look for the one with a sign to the LOL-HA Restaurant.
There will be a security guy there to which you just have to say that you are going for lunch at the restaurant. That way you get free parking, and free beach access in exchange for having lunch at a nice beach restaurant.
I recommend ordering the Cochnita tacos or the pozole when they have it. Both are delicious!
3. Taquerias Don Chava
This taqueria is outside of the usual touristic area of Playa del Carmen and to get there you would need a car or get a taxi. They have several locations but their current prime location is at Avenida 28 de Julio.
4. Bendita Costilla
Fantastic place for an Argentinian steak! This place is located out of the central of Playa, so it’s recommended to get there by car or by taxi. You would also walk, but would be recommended to do so if you are in a larger group, otherwise, it takes about 30 mins walking from the Quinta Avenida where the Cozumel Ferry parking is located.
Lido is the one with the most decent food in the city.
4. Lido Beach Club
Located in the centre of Playa del Carmen, Lido is probably the beach club with the nicest food from all of in Playa Del Carmen downtown, but also it’s the calmest. So if you’d prefer a place with more of a party vibe, you could look at one of the other beach clubs like Mamitas or Zenzii.
Avoid the trap
Most of the food in the beach clubs of Playa del Carmen is not great and also would be overpriced compared to the rest of the restaurants in the city, so have that in mind when visiting.
Lido is the one with the most decent food in the city.
5. Los Aguachiles
Really great place for tostadas. Despite it being located in the centre and is very touristy, the seafood and the “tostadas” are one of my favourites. I recommend getting the “Maravillosa de Atun” or the “Sashimi Atun” one. This place also has 3 locations or so, but I usually go to the one on the Avenida 38th or the one on Avenida Constituyentes.
6. Lara & Luca
If you are staying a little longer in Playa del Carmen and getting tired of all the delicious tacos, this European-inspired brunch and dinner at 3 locations in the Riviera Maya – In Playa del Carmen on Avenida de la Aviacion, in Downtown and in Puerto Aventuras. This place has delicious croissants, breakfasts, espresso, brunch and nice lunches. My favourite is the chicken with gnocchi for lunch (I hope they still make it). I prefer to go to their original location on Avenida de la Aviacion so the link below is to that one. If you want to discover other locations, just google them.